Sania Mirza knows what mom guilt feels like and she wants mothers to forgive themselves

Mothers all over the world are probably familiar with the term "mom guilt" or at least the idea of feeling guilty for a decision made in relation to their children. Indian tennis star Sania Mirza is no stranger to mom guilt.

"I am playing in England (working) and my baby boy graduated today, I wasn’t a part of it and it was such an awful feeling.. Unfortunately we cannot be at 2 places at the same time. Mom guilt is real guys and it never stops," she wrote on her Instagram story on Friday night. Before this post, she shared a picture of her son, Izhaan Mirza Malik, in a red graduation cap and gown at his nursery graduation.

"But it’s important to recognise it and forgive yourself because no matter what we do, a mother just doesn’t feel like she’s doing enough," she wrote.

"I am so lucky to have a family and support system that still allows me to chase my dreams. Let’ be kind… to others and to ourselves too. So proud of my baby."

Mirza is a professional tennis player who has to travel all over the world for her job and though she often takes her son along with her, it stands to reason that sometimes, her tournaments will be during her son's school year and he won't be able to go with her. Her husband, Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, has to travel often too because his job is based in Pakistan and the couple live in Dubai.

Mirza, who married the cricketer in 2010, has spoken in the past about how difficult it is to be separated from her young son while she plays. “Leaving him at any time is difficult. I try to do it as little as possible,” she said at a 2021 press conference at Wimbledon. “But if it's something I have to do, then that's what I will do. As working mothers, sometimes you have to do it.”

Mom guilt is a thing, whether you're a stay-at-home mom or an international tennis player and we hope other mothers take heart from her post and cut themselves some slack. You're doing the best you can and you should be proud of yourself and your children!